Why is Jesus the Only Way to be Saved?

THE BIBLE IS CLEAR

The reality of Jesus being the only way to God is seen all over the Scriptures.

• In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
• In Acts 4:12, the Apostle Peter told the Jewish leaders that “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
• Going back to the time of the prophets, God strongly stated in Isaiah 43:11, “I, I am the LORD, and besides Me there is no savior!”

Not only are there a multitude of verses declaring this truth, but there are entire passages of Scripture which were intended to paint this biblical portrait and present this one-way-salvation concept. References like Noah’s ark, Rahab’s lodge, and even the Church for that matter. They all point to a singular location one must go if they would be saved. If you are interested in further study on those, be sure to check out our previous blog by clicking here.

THE QUESTION IS: “WHY?”

Again, the truth of exclusive salvation in Christ alone cannot be questioned. The Bible is so clear that it leaves no room for either confusion or doubt. Thus, it is not up for debate nor is it a matter of perspective or a difference of opinion or interpretation. As such, what we want to do in this blog is ask why this is the case.

Why is Jesus the only way to be saved?

After all, society today tends to cringe at almost anything exclusive…especially when it comes to matters of faith and religious beliefs. They do this partly out of pride and partly out of care and concern for others. Regarding pride, because nobody wants to be told they are not in the club and informed that they will not be included unless they humbly change their beliefs to align with God’s. Regarding care and concern for others, because they acknowledge how many people all around the world are not currently trusting in Christ which leads them to search desperately for another way.

They will ask questions like: “What about all of the other religions in the world? Certainly they can be saved too?” Or “Is God so self-centered, narrow-minded, or closed-doored that He wouldn’t make another way?” Or “Aren’t all religions basically the same and all roads lead to Heaven in the end?” Or “Why couldn’t God simply have made another way or even multiple ways to be saved?” However, what we are going to see is that all of these are the wrong questions because they are either assuming the worst about God or thinking that mankind can just simply add something/someone to their life and they will be good, but salvation is not that easy.

THE REASONS WHY

We must never think about God like a spoiled child on the playground only letting the other kids play with His toys if they follow His rules. That is not God at all…that is Satan. When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane, He asked His Father that, if it were possible, God would provide another way apart from the Cross (Matthew 26:39). The problem was that there was no other way which tells us that God cannot just “make” a way to be saved. Reflecting back on John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way!” The point then is that salvation is in Him and Him alone by default.

The first law of soteriology [doctrine of salvation] is that there can be no “way” created nor found that is outside of God Himself for individuals to be saved from death. Making a way to be saved is not just not simple, it is not possible…even for God. Why? Because God could not and cannot create another god or entity or object which is eternal and infinite by nature (Isaiah 43:10; Hebrews 6:13) which would be necessary to pay the infinite and eternal price for sin. The moment He creates anything or anyone, by definition, means that it is not infinite nor eternal; not like Him.

This means that salvation and blessing and life are only found in Christ – no one and nothing else. It is not possible for salvation to be anywhere else! Thus, God did not make any way to be saved, all He did was show up because He is the way! This truth is what drove Peter to proclaim in Acts 4:12 that “there is salvation in no one else!”

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

People may say, “Yeah, but….” However, there is no further argument when we realize that God is not selfish, spoiled, mean-spirited, or narrow-minded, because He knew that even for Him there was only One way for mankind to be saved and He offered that Way both generously and gladly (John 3:16).

It would be like trying to plug in a lamp to a cucumber, silly putty, drywall, or even the ground outside – it would never turn on because it would not receive power. The same is true for salvation: billions of people all over the world are trying to plug into all the wrong things [religion, morality, being nice, etc.] but nothing will work outside of the One source of life which is Christ. It is like trying to stay alive without ever eating food or drinking water because you wrongly believe you can find sustenance somewhere else, but there is none. Salvation is not found anywhere else because it is not possible to be found anywhere else. By definition, everywhere else is outside of God who is Himself the only source of life.

This is why Jesus is the only way to be saved. Because nothing else would work. But God, in His infinite wisdom and knowledge, knew of one surefire way for humanity to be saved from the eternal consequences of our sin and, out of His incredible generosity, provided that one Way 2,000 years ago on a Roman Cross. Jesus is the Way. Therefore, I urge you to trust Him today!

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